Coyote fears: Residents to hire own trapper

Anaheim resident Lynda Gendreau holds a flyer she distributed to neighbors warning about coyote sightings. More than a dozen neighbors have pledged to hire a trapper if one isn't provided by the city and other officials.ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ANAHEIM – Frustrated by a perceived lack of response from officials to numerous coyote sightings and attacks on pets, west Anaheim residents say they plan to take care of the problem themselves.

Residents said they've placed numerous calls in recent weeks to the city, to animal-control agencies and to owners of nurseries where they say coyotes frequent. Ultimately, they've received the same answer: If you want to get rid of the coyotes, hire a trapper.

So that's what more than a dozen residents are vowing to do – at a cost of more than $300.

"I just can't believe that when they (the coyotes) are a nuisance to so many people, especially down here in an urban area, that we are being told we have to pay to take care of the problem ourselves," said resident Lynda Gendreau, 50. "But that's what we're finding we have to do."

Gendreau said that three weeks ago, she was walking a small dog – a white Pekingese-mix – by a nursery near her house on Sylvan Street, when a large coyote came running out from under a nursery fence. She managed to scare it away.

Since then, she posted signs on light poles warning residents of coyotes and persuaded nursery owners to put barriers in chain-link fence holes to prevent easy access for coyotes.

On Friday, after sending several letters to the city and to Southern California Edison, crews cut down a field of weeds, up to 4 feet tall, where residents said coyotes were hiding. Gendreau credits Anaheim code-enforcement officers for applying pressure to ensure the weeds were cut on the Edison property.

After news about the nearby Chihuahua attack surfaced, Gendreau said she heard from several neighbors. At least 15 have contacted her and pledged their financial support to hire a trapper.

Edison owns a swath of land under power poles for two miles parallel to Magnolia Avenue, between Ball Road and the interchange of the 5 and 91 freeways. Edison officials have agreed to work with the city to issue the necessary permits for a trap to be set up on their property, according to emails sent to Gendreau.

A trapper would charge $350 to set up traps for 30 days. There's no guarantee the coyotes would be caught. If they are, they would be euthanized, Gendreau said she was told.

Gendreau said she hopes the city will reconsider and pay for the trapper. If she doesn't hear back by early next week, she will spend the privately raised money.

"I love all animals," she said. "But after the horror stories we've heard about the pets being killed – and people worried about their children – something needs to be done."

Gendreau encouraged other residents in her neighborhood who are worried about coyotes to contact her at safeyes@yahoo.com.

Anaheim resident Lynda Gendreau holds a flyer she distributed to neighbors warning about coyote sightings. More than a dozen neighbors have pledged to hire a trapper if one isn't provided by the city and other officials. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Anaheim resident Lynda Gendreau points to where nursery owners put bricks and chunks of concrete in fence holes in an attempt to block coyotes. Behind her is a field where 4-foot tall weeds were cut down on Friday after numerous complaints about coyotes. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Anaheim resident Brady Post captured this image of a coyote on his smart-phone camera. Post wants help from officials to get the coyotes away from his yard. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Brady Post's 6-year-old, 130-pound Rottweiler, Roxy, isn't afraid of much. But she is afraid of the coyotes and has had no luck scaring them off. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Braille Institute of Orange County is next door to homes where residents have spotted coyotes. Officials there worry about the safety of clients, some of whom use guide dogs that could clash with coyotes. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Brady Post, 47, points to the foliage behind his pool where he says the coyotes tend to hide. He wants help capturing them. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Brady Posts points to the area of his property where he found a Chihuahua carcass after coyotes attacked it. He tried to bury it, but the coyotes apparently dug up the remains, too. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The half-acres lots in Anaheim have been frequented by coyotes. The homes are located between the Braille Institute of Orange County and St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church on the 500 block of Dale Avenue. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Brady Post, 47, of Anaheim, captured this image of a coyote on his smart phone early in the morning in late July. He says he seen three coyotes and wants help getting rid of them. Photo courtesy Brady Post, Text by Eric Carpenter/The Register
Anaheim resident Lynda Gendreau posted signs on light poles around her neighborhood warning residents of coyotes and advising them to keep food inside. ERIC CARPENTER, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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